Tess Brunet
Tess Brunet (born September 12, 1978) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, drummer, and producer, who has recorded and performed under the band names Au Ras Au Ras, Animal Electric, Generationals, and deadboy & the Elephantmen. Brunet began working in the lo-fi genre of underground rock, recording on portable cassette tape machines while living in New York City. Brunet has worked with various artists including Daniel Johnston, Lady Bo of Bo Diddley, Floating Action and Twin Tigers, to name a few. Brunet released her first solo albums under Animal Electric in 2008 and Au Ras Au Ras in 2011 and 2012. Tess has since dropped both monikers and currently performs and records under her given name as well as Tess Brunet & The Black Orchids. Henry Rollins champions Brunet and plays her catalog on his weekly show on KCRW. Brunet has also played The Henry Rollins Show on IFC. She has toured extensively in various bands since 2003 as a drummer and started touring in 2013 as a solo artist. Brunet is currently working on her third solo record, but it will be the first record to come out under her given name. In addition to her musical efforts, Tess owns Lagniappe Records, an independent record shop and DIY record label in Baton Rouge, LA.
Early life
Though she was born in New Orleans, Brunet was adopted at age 4 and spent most of her childhood in Bayou Cane, Louisiana. She was raised in a Catholic family and has Cajun ancestry. Brunet moved to New York City when she was 19 years old, where she met Mel Terpos (aka The Guitar Doctor,) guitar guru for Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton, and Hall & Oates, among many others. Terpos became her mentor and played a large role in her becoming a drummer and later a guitarist. Tess currently resides in Baton Rouge, LA.
Discography
With deadboy & the Elephantmen
- We Are Night Sky (2005, LP on Fat Possum)
With Animal Electric (solo)
- Animal Electric self-titled (2008, EP self-release)
With Generationals
- Trust (2010, EP on Park The Van)
With Tess Brunet / Au Ras Au Ras (solo)
- Au Ras Au Ras self-titled (2011, LP self-release)
- The Great Nothing (2012, LP self-release)
With Sherbert 2013 Never Happened (2013, self-release)
References
Cook, Alex. "The Great Nothing by Au Ras Au Ras". Offbeat Magazine. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
Cook, Alex. "Au Ras Au Ras by Au Ras Au Ras". Offbeat Magazine. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
Morgan, Travis. "Secret Stages Festival". Secret Stages. Retrieved 11 May 2012.
Rollins, Henry. "KCRW BROADCAST". LA Weekly. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
Corp., Rovi. "Trust EP". Allmusic. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
Bergen, Molly. "Live Review". LA Weekly. Retrieved 3 November 2010.